ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
Directorate General of GST Intelligence busts major ITC refund fraud case
The Mumbai Zonal Unit of Directorate General of GST Intelligence, CBIC,  has busted a major ITC refund fraud case and arrested Shri Santosh Doshi, who was controlling and operating 07 companies/ firms viz M/s. Amal Overseas Pvt Ltd, M/s. C-Kluster Expotrade Pvt. Ltd., M/s. Ekon Crystalmerchants Pvt. Ltd., M/s. Meticulous Overseas Pvt. Ltd., M/s. Ninad Overseas Pvt. Ltd., M/s. Parees Overseas Pvt. Ltd., M/s. White Opal Expotrade Pvt. Ltd., who had fraudulently availed Input Tax Credit  without any supply of goods and services on the strength of bogus invoices and claimed Rs 118 Crore as refund against exports.
The modus operandi involved in this financial fraud was that several dummy units were created in the States of Jharkhand and West Bengal on the basis of forged documents. They passed on the said bogus ITC to several shell trading firms acting as intermediary entities situated in the State of Chhattisgarh. Further, several units were created as exporting fronts at Pune and Mumbai in the State of Maharashtra to whom the units situated in the State of Chhattisgarh supplied fictitious goods purported to be exported. The exporting units were created merely for the purpose of availing refund in a fraudulent manner.
To nab the master mind behind the whole channel of financial fraud, DGGI, Mumbai launched an operation, by searching concerned CHAs, CAs, CSs, key persons and freight forwarders and several statements were recorded. It was revealed that Shri Santosh Doshi, a resident of Pune, Maharashtra, who is also the Managing Director of M/s Masumi Overseas Pvt. Ltd., was actually the promoter and operator of these 07 exporting firms. The accused created a complex web using multiple layers of transactions starting from manufacturers to traders in between and ultimately to exporters to facilitate encashment of accumulated ITC.
Shri Santosh Doshi was arrested on 17.08.2021 and has been remanded to judicial custody, He is a habitual offender and has also been arrested previously in 2016 by Mumbai Customs.
Further investigation is in progress.
Ministry of Tourism
Tourism Minister attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organization  Tourism Ministers’ conference in China
The Minister of State  for Tourism and Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri K. J. Alphons attended the Tourism Ministers’ conference by Shanghai Cooperation Organization  in Wuhan, China held on 9th May 2018.
At the inaugural session, the Minister said that India’s Tourism sector is fast growing and has got an emerging market for outbound travel and a tremendous potential for tourism co-operation with the SCO region.
At the sidelines of the event, the Minister also met the Chinese Tourism and Culture Vice Minister, Mr. Li Jinzao. The visit of the team headed by Sh. K. J. Alphons was in continuation of the Prime Minister’s recent visit to China wherein it was agreed to increase the co-operation between India and China in Defence, External Affairs and Tourism.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Impact of cyclones on fishing sector across States
The primary responsibility of disaster management rests with the State Governments. The State Governments concerned, in the wake of a natural disaster, provide necessary relief to affected people including fishermen, from the State Disaster Response Fund  already placed at their disposal. Further assistance is provided to the affected States by the Ministry of Home Affairs  from the National Disaster Response Fund  as per laid down procedure for management of relief necessitated by notified natural disasters. In the case of cyclones Amphan, Taukate and Yaas, the Central Government constituted Inter-Ministerial Central Teams , which had visited the affected areas of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Odisha, West Bengal and Daman & Diu and assessed the damages caused due to cyclones.
As per the reports of the MHA, after Cyclone Amphan, in order to support the affected people of the States, Central Government released Rs. 1000 crore to Government of West Bengal and Rs. 500 crore to Government of Odisha ‘on account basis’ from National Disaster Response Fund  on 23rd May 2020. Based on the report of IMCT which visited the affected areas of the West Bengal and Odisha for on the spot assessment of damages and recommendations of Sub-Committee for National Executive Committee , the High Level Committee  had approved an amount of Rs. 2,707.77 crore to West Bengal and Rs. 128.23 crore to Odisha  from NDRF, subject to the adjustment of 50% of balance available in their SDRF account.
In pursuance of the announcement made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Central Government released additional financial assistance of Rs. 1,000 crore to Gujarat, Rs. 500 crore to Odisha, Rs. 300 crore to West Bengal and Rs. 200 crore to Jharkhand, in advance, from NDRF for management of relief  necessitated by cyclonic storms Taukate and Yaas in 2021. Besides, Central Government released the first installment of Central share of SDRF for 2021-22 amounting to Rs. 8873.60 crore on 29th April 2021 in advance to all States, including the cyclone affected States.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying , Government of India implements the Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector Schemes for overall development of fisheries sector. The fishermen are provided assistance for various components and activities including boat replacement and nets etc., under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna  scheme implemented by DoF, MoFAHD through the State Governments concerned. This information is given by The Minister of State of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr. L. Murugan, in written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Cash transfer of food subsidy directly into the bank account of PDS being implemented on a pilot basis in three UTs-Chandigarh and Puducherry since September, 2015 and urban areas of Dadra and Nagar Haveli since March, 2016
Direct Benefit Transfer  aims to reduce the need for huge physical movement of foodgrains, provide greater autonomy to beneficiaries to choose their consumption basket, enhance dietary diversity, reduce leakages, facilitate better targeting and promote financial inclusion
The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that a scheme of cash transfer of food subsidy directly into the bank account of beneficiaries of Public Distribution System instead of providing foodgrains is already being implemented on a pilot basis in the three Union Territories namely Chandigarh and Puducherry since September, 2015 and urban areas of Dadra and Nagar Haveli since March, 2016. The beneficiaries in these UTs are receiving the cash transfer in lieu of foodgrains which they use for purchase of foodgrains of their choice from open market.
The Direct Benefit Transfer  experiment aims to  reduce the need for huge physical movement of foodgrains  provide greater autonomy to beneficiaries to choose their consumption basket  enhance dietary diversity  reduce leakages  facilitate better targeting  promote financial inclusion.
In the chosen areas, saving has accrued on account of no costs incurred on procurement incidentals, handling, storage, movement, distribution and other administrative overheads, in the direct benefit transfer pilot.
The scheme of cash transfer of food subsidy scheme is implemented as per provisions of the Cash Transfer of Food Subsidy Rules, 2015, notified under the National Food Security Act, 2013  on 21.08.2015 which inter alia provides food subsidy in cash directly into the bank accounts of entitled households to enable purchase of entitled quantity of foodgrains from the open market. The scheme can be taken up in identified areas, subject to fulfillment of certain conditions regarding preparedness for its implementation like complete digitization and de-duplication of beneficiary database, seeding of bank account details in the digitized beneficiary database and availability of foodgrains in the open market. Identified area is defined under the Rules as State or Union Territory or any specified area within the State or Union Territory for which there is a written consent of the State Government for implementation of the scheme. It is therefore optional for the States/UTs to implement the cash transfer of food subsidy scheme or continue with distribution of foodgrains as per provisions of NFSA through fair price shops.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of Mizoram on their Statehood Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Mizoram on their Statehood Day.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Greetings to the people of Mizoram on their Statehood Day. India takes great pride in the vibrant Mizo culture and the contributions of Mizoram to national progress. I pray for the good health and well-being of the people of Mizoram."
Ministry of Textiles
Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry
The Govt. of India through Central Silk Board has been implementing a Central Sector Scheme "Silk Samagra" an Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry  during the years 2017-18 to 2020-21 for the overall development of Silk industry in the Country with an aim & objective to scale up production by improving the quality and productivity and to empower downtrodden, poor & backward families through various activities of sericulture in the country.The raw silk production in the country has shown increasing trend during last five years due to implementation of the "Silk Samagra" scheme and other initiatives of Government. The details of total raw silk production in the country during last 5 years  are given below:
|
|
Year
|
|
Raw silk production 
|
|
2015-16
|
|
28523
|
|
2016-17
|
|
30348
|
|
2017-18
|
|
31906
|
|
2018-19
|
|
35468
|
|
2019-20
|
|
35820
Unsder Tribal Sub Plan  of "Silk Samagra" scheme separate funds are being earmarked by the Government specifically to support tribal stakeholders involved in silk value chain. The details of beneficiaries covered under TSP of "Silk Samagra" scheme during last three years is given below:
|
|
|
|
Number of tribal
|
|
Year
|
|
Beneficiaries covered
|
|
|
|
under Silk Samagra
|
|
2017-18
|
|
9181
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2801
|
|
2019-20
|
|
3438
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Textiles, Smt. SmritiZubinIrani in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Two-day National Workshop on Preparedness for Heat Wave concludes in Nagpur
The two-day national workshop on Preparedness, Mitigation and Management of Heat wave concluded successfully today in Nagpur with all stakeholders resolving to work towards reducing the adverse effects of Heat Wave 2019. The workshop was organised by National Disaster Management Authority  in collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra.
This was the third annual workshop in a series that NDMA has been conducting since 2017 to build a momentum ahead of the start of the Heat Wave season. These workshops facilitate States to prepare and implement their Heat Action Plans. In fact, with the combined efforts of all stakeholders, the number of heat-related deaths in the country came down to just 25 in 2018, a significant reduction from more than 2,000 deaths in 2015.
At the technical session on Capacity Building & effective response, operational issues of implementing Heat Action Plans were discussed. The session also discussed the why and how of city-specific heat wave thresholds andvulnerability assessments. The need to use specific awareness campaigns to sensitise communities was also discussed. This session was chaired by Lt. Gen. N. C. Marwah, Member, NDMA.
The session on Inter-agency coordination and effective governancediscussed the importance of coordination amongst all agencies and regular monitoring of the heat wave situation. It also highlighted the significance of long-term mitigation measures, key interventions, review and updation of Heat Action Plans. Participants were divided in groups to discuss specific issues. Each group moderator later made a presentation on the group’s findings and suggestions. This session was chaired by Shri P. N. Rai, Member, Bihar State Disaster Management Authority.
Detailed discussions on emerging issues and the course of action for 2019 were carried out. The focus of all our efforts should be on reducing the number of deaths as also heat-related illnesses, summarised the experts.
Members and senior officials from NDMA, experts on heat wave, early warning and forecasting agencies, State governments and research institutions participated in the workshop.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Four fishermen from Bihar among around 1,800 Special Invitees, invited to listen the Prime Minister’s address to the nation on Independence Day.
In line with the Government’s vision of ‘Jan Bhagidari’, people from all walks of life, across India, to be part of the celebrations at the Red Fort.
The Independence Day celebrations this year will be celebrated at the Red Fort in New Delhi in the presence of Special Invitees from across the country who have been invited to the capital to witness the National flag being hoisted by the Prime Minister and listen to his Independence Day address to the nation. They include sarpanches of Vibrant villages, teachers, nurses, farmers, fishermen, people working in flagship programmes such as Central Vista project, Amrit Sarovar, Harghar Jal and others.
The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has selected Four fishermen from the state of Bihar who will witness the Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort, Delhi on August 15, 2023 as Special Guests. Fifty fishermen, along with their families, are among around 1,700 persons who have been invited to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation from ramparts of the iconic monument. The initiative to invite the people from all walks of life, across India, and be a part of the celebrations has been taken by the Government in line with its vision of ‘Jan Bhagidari’.
Of the 50 fishermen invited to witness the celebrations, Four are from Bihar. Dharmendra Kumar is one of the Special Invitees, who hails from from Sasana Village of Motipur Block of Muzaffarpur District and a beneficiary of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana  is thrilled to be invited for the Independence Day Celebrations in New Delhi. “It is a matter of pride when a common man like me has been greatly benefitted from the Scheme and earning the livelihood. It is truly indicative of how such an important person like the Prime Minister reaches out to the poorest of poor man in the country. I am thankful to him for the invitation”, says Kumar.
Another fishermen, Arjun Mukhiya, hailing from Kamayan Village in Khagaria District stated, “The Prime Minister has invited me for Flag hoisting ceremony. He Thanked PM for that gesture. I have been immensely benefitted from the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana Scheme. I am overjoyed to visit Delhi on the 15th of August.”
Manoj Sahni, another fisherman, hailing from Mohammdpur village of Siwan District expressed his happiness over his selection for the occasion and Thanked PM Modi for this gesture and support.
(Visitor Counter : 20
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds the efforts for preserving the Sparrows
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the efforts of Rajya Sabha MP, Brij Lal for preserving the sparrows at his house.
Responding to a tweet by the Rajya Sabha MP, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“बहुत खूब! आपका यह प्रयास हर किसी को प्रेरित करेगा।”
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Three Days National Expo on Indian Medical Devices Sector - India MedTech Expo, 2023 - rescheduled; Now to be held from 17-19th January 2023 at Aerocity Grounds, New Delhi
Overwhelming response from Domestic manufacturers, MNCs, Start-ups & MSMEs
R&D Pavilion to have participation of 50 R&D Institutions
The India MedTech Expo , the first-ever Expo of Indian Medtech Industry by Government, is rescheduled and now will be held from 17th to 19th January 2023 at Aerocity Grounds, New Delhi.
The three days Expo was earlier scheduled from 9th to 11th December 2022. On 30th September 2022, the website of India MedTech Expo  was launched and the flyer was released for the event.
India MedTech Expo , a three-day long event is the 1st edition of India MedTech Expo, organized by Dept. of Pharmaceuticals, Government of India, in close association with all the Medical Devices Industry Associations. It is being coordinated by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry . The Expo is planned around the theme “Future of Device, Diagnostics & Digital”. The event is organized with an objective to create opportunities to network and explore collaborations both for the sector’s growth in India and its potential contribution globally, by bringing together all the stakeholders such as PLI participants, start-ups, MSMEs, Innovative entrepreneurs, R&D facilities, Incubators, public and private hospitals, Industry at large, Academia, Research institutions, Investors, State governments, MedTech parks and key Government officials for taking the sector on a forward growth trajectory.
India MedTech Expo has received tremendous response from the MedTech Industry, which has come forward in large numbers and given their confirmation for participation. So far, about 150+ Start-ups, 275+ Indian & International Medical Device companies and MSME units, 50+ Research Institutions, etc. have confirmed their participation in the Expo. Over 376 foreign buyers entries have been received out of which selected 200+ foreign buyers will be hosted for B2B engagement.
The current market size of the medical devices sector in India is estimated to be 11 Bn USD and the sector in India is at a growth stage with CAGR of 10-12% over the last decade and has the potential to reach $ 50 bn by 2030. The proposed Expo will create visibility of medical devices ecosystem to the world and build a brand identity for the Indian MedTech sector.
IMTE-23 would offer a unique platform to meet and interact with Start-ups, Indian & International Medical Device companies, MSME units & Research Institutions. IMTE-23 would feature special Government Regulators, State MedTech Parks, Future Healthcare, R&D and Innovation, Make in India & Start-ups Pavilion, along with parallel thematic Conference sessions.
Details of the National MedTech Expo 2023 are available at - http://www.indiamedtechexpo.in/
While regretting the inconvenience caused due to rescheduling, the Department has requested the Indian medical devices manufacturers , buyers and all stakeholders to continue their committed support to make the proposed India’s first Medtech Expo 2023 a resounding success.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Centre makes it mandatory to disclose weekly sugar stocks by Traders/Wholesalers, Retailers, Big Chain Retailers, Processors
Government is keeping close watch over sugar stocks and trades to avoid hoardings
Retail price of sugar in the country stable despite record increase in international prices of sugar
Sufficient stock of sugar available to cater the requirement
Government of India has been successfully maintaining stable retail price of sugar in the country. As a proactive measure to combat hoarding and curb unscrupulous speculation in the sugar market Government has issued orders to mandatory disclose stock position of sugar for Traders/Wholesaler, Retailer, Big Chain Retailer, Processors of Sugar on the portal  of Department of Food and PD on every Monday.
This mandatory weekly stock disclosure for these entities is another proactive step in Government of India's efforts to maintain a balanced and fair sugar market. By preventing hoarding and speculation, GoI is aiming to ensure that sugar remains affordable for all consumers. This proactive measure empowers regulatory authorities to closely monitor stock levels and take prompt action against any potential market manipulation.
This fully digital initiative will facilitate smooth sugar market with deterrence to commodity hoarders from any speculative transactions. Besides, it will also provide real-time data on sugar stocks and help the Government to make further policy decisions, as and when need arises, to mitigate the impact of rumours of rising sugar prices on consumers and the industry.
Further, Government is also expecting cooperation from sugar mills and traders to adhere to the relevant laws and monthly domestic quota norms. Strict action will be taken against the mills violating the same.
With 83 LMT at the end of August 2023 and expected beginning of crushing in Oct 2023, India has sufficient stocks for domestic consumption with absolutely no shortage for festivals. In fact, Government has released first tranche of domestic sales quota of 13 LMT also which sugar mills can start selling with immediate effect. More quota will be released in due course in view of market conditions.
Thus, Government is committed to ensure sugar for domestic consumers at reasonable price throughout the year.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MSP operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes, as was done in previous seasons.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra with purchase of over 322.38 LMTs of paddy up to 01.12.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 270.24 LMT showing an increase of 19.29 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 322.38 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 202.77 LMT which is 62.90 % of totalprocurement.
About 30.41 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 60865.69 Crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.24 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme . Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuringagencies.
Upto 01.12.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 109578.26 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs. 590.26 Crores benefitting 62899 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu upto 01.12.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of 293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses andOilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan,MadhyaPradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka. Till 01.12.2020 a quantity of 3097937 cotton bales valuing Rs.9066.22 Crore has been procured benefitting 617049farmers